Press release

Italy cruise past Chinese Taipei in three sets

Taipei, June 23, 2012 – Italy downed Chinese Taipei in straight sets (25-10, 25-13, 25-17) in Pool L of the FIVB World Grand Prix at Kaohsiung on Saturday, securing their third victory in the competition. It was Chinese Taipei’s eighth straight loss.

Italy's Cristina Barcellini and Caterina Bosetti ranked as the match's top scorers with 14 points apiece. Chinese Taipei's captain Teng Yen Min was the only player on her team to make it into double figures with 10 points.

World Cup champions Italy used their superiority in height to dominate the blocking category 10-2. Chinese Taipei committed 20 errors to Italy’s 11.

Chinese Taipei offered little resistance in the first set and Italy sailed through the set in 20 minutes.

In the second set, Chinese Taipei fought hard to take the lead in the early stages, but Italy didn’t let them get away and came back strongly to dominate again and take the set 25-13.

However, Chinese Taipei did not give up hope of winning a set, and led the third set 14-12 after an excellent spike by Wang Sin Ting that prompted Italian coach Marco Bracci to call for a timeout. After the timeout, Italy pulled away, and finished off the match in an hour and 10 minutes.

On the third day in Kaohsiung, Italy will face Poland, while Chinese Taipei will meet the Dominican Republic.